The City of Naperville's Code Enforcement Team and building inspectors enforce building code regulations, as well as inspect all construction. The City of Naperville follows the 2012 International Property Maintenance Code.

When can garbage containers be placed at the curb and when do containers need to be removed from the curb?Section 4-2-3.1 of the municipal code states that garbage containers may be placed at the curb the evening before the day of collection and must be removed from the curb by 7 p.m. the day of collection.

What is the height restriction for grass / weeds?Section 4-3-2.1 of the municipal code states that grass / weeds may not exceed eight (8) inches in height in the right-of-way and eight (8) inches in height on private property.

This section also states that any weeds such as jimson, burdock, ragweed, thistle, cocklebur or other weeds of a like kind are not permitted to grow or remain anywhere in the city except in designated natural landscape areas.

To report a grass and/or weed violation, please call (630) 420-6693.

Can I place a mobile storage unit (e.g. POD) on my property and what is the time limitation?Single-family Detached or Two-family DwellingSection 6-2-28 of the municipal code states that a mobile storage container may be placed on the property for up to fifteen (15) consecutive days. No person shall place a mobile storage container upon their property for more than two (2) fifteen (15) day periods per calendar year. The container may be placed only upon a residential driveway or other hard surface approved by the city engineer.

No city approval or permit is required if the container is left on the premises for 15 days or less. If the container will be left on the premises for more than 15 days, please contact the Planning Department at (630) 420-6694 in advance of placing the container on the property.

Other PropertiesSection 6-2-28 of the municipal code states that a mobile storage container may be placed upon a parking lot constructed of a hard surface approved by the city engineer, provided that the placement of the container does not impede the flow of traffic, occupy off-street parking spaces and the proposed location is approved by the zoning administrator.

Please contact the Planning Department at (630) 420-6694 to obtain approval from the zoning administrator before placing a storage unit on a property other than a single-family detached or two-family dwelling.

Do I have to shovel my sidewalk?Yes. Section 9-1H-2 of the municipal code states that any person owning any lot or parcel of land must keep clean and open for public passage any sidewalk or sidewalks abutting on or adjacent to such lot or parcel of land. The sidewalks should be cleared of snow and ice within 48 hours following the weather event.

Can I take snow from my driveway and /or sidewalk and place it in the street?No. Section 9-1A-16.1 of the municipal code states that it shall be unlawful to deposit on any street any material which make said street slippery and also states it shall be unlawful to remove any snow or ice from any private property and deposit the same upon any public street or alley or any part thereof.

How many people are allowed to live in a residence?The number of people allowed to live in a residence is based on square footage of the habitable space in the residence. Bathrooms, toilet rooms, closets, halls and storage / utility spaces are not considered habitable spaces. Individuals do not have to be related to one another in order to live in the same residence. You may contact the main code enforcement line at (630) 420-6693 for the specific square footage allowances.

Do I need a permit for the work I am doing at my house?Decks, driveways, fences and swimming pools all require permits. Most remodeling projects (e.g. basements or kitchen upgrades) will also require a permit, particularly if you are removing or adding walls, modifying electric or plumbing, or enlarging windows or doors.

Before beginning your project, please call Development Services at (630) 420-6100, option 2, to determine whether or not a permit is needed. Even though a permit is an additional cost, the inspections that are included as a part of the cost of the permit both ensure that the job is done in conformance with all applicable codes and that the end product is safe for you and your family.

When is a vehicle considered to be inoperable?Section 4-5-1 of the municipal code defines an inoperable motor vehicle as a motor vehicle which is twenty-five (25) years of age or less, the engine, wheels, or other parts of which have been altered, damaged or otherwise so treated that the vehicle is incapable of being driven under its own motor power. The fact that a vehicle does not have current license plates or registration does not in and of itself render a vehicle to be inoperable.

With a few exceptions, the parking or storing of any inoperable motor vehicle in the open on any property within the city is declared to be a nuisance.

Can my neighbor have a basketball hoop in the street or on the sidewalk?No. Section 9-1A-11.2 of the municipal code states that it shall be unlawful for any person to cause, create or maintain any obstruction on any street, alley, sidewalk, parkway or other public way. This includes basketball-hoops, whether they are permanent or movable.

What can I do about my neighbor’s tree that overhangs my property?In most cases this will be a civil issue. If you believe a code violation may be involved, please call the main code enforcement line at (630) 420-6100, option 3, and an inspection can be scheduled to determine if there is a violation that can be addressed.

Can I direct my sump-pump discharge to the sidewalk or street?No. Section 9-1A-16.1.1 of the municipal code states that it shall be unlawful to deposit on any street any material which make said street slippery or which may be harmful to the pavement or storm drain thereof, or any waste material, or other articles which may do injury to any person, animal or property.

In addition, section 9-1H-2 of the municipal code states that any person owning any lot or parcel of land must keep clean and open for public passage any sidewalk or sidewalks abutting on or adjacent to such lot or parcel of land.

Who is responsible for keeping the sidewalk clear of overgrown bushes and trees?Section 9-1H-2.2 of the municipal code states that the property owner must maintain the public way in a safe condition for pedestrians, free of all obstructions, excavations, tall grass, weeds, trash, debris or other substances or materials which may interfere with the free use of such passageways by the public; and from all trees and bushes interfering with the free use of sidewalks.

How do I report graffiti?If you see graffiti on public property in Naperville, please call Police Dispatch at (630) 420-6147, and file a police report with the location of the graffiti. Once the report is filed, it will be routed to the appropriate department for removal.

If you see graffiti on private property, please contact Code Enforcement at (630) 420-6100, option 3, with the location of the graffiti. We will investigate the complaint, and work with the property owner to have the graffiti removed promptly. Section 302.9 of the International Property Maintenance Code states:

302.9 Defacement of property.No person shall willfully or wantonly damage, mutilate or deface any exterior surface of any structure or building on any private or public property by placing thereon any marking, carving or graffiti.

It shall be the responsibility of the owner to restore said surface to an approved state of maintenance and repair.

What if I have a code-enforcement complaint outside the hours of 7 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday?If the matter is an emergency, please call 911. If the matter is of an urgent nature (e.g. working outside of the allowable construction hours) and should not wait, please call the non-emergency police number at 630-420-6666.

If the request can wait, please call (630) 420-6100, option 3, and leave a detailed message and the information will be retrieved the next business day. In your message, please let us know if you would like a return phone call and leave a phone number where you can be reached during the day.

Where is the sign code?The city’s sign code is titled “Street Graphics Control” and can be found in chapter 4 of title 5 of the municipal code. The first section of the code is 5-4-1.

What are the allowable construction work hours?For tear downs, large room additions and new construction where 80% of the lots within a 90 degree radius are improved dwelling units:

If work is occurring outside allowable hours and you would like immediate response, please call the non-emergency police number at (630) 420-6666. If you do not need immediate response, please call the main code enforcement line at (630) 420-6100, option 3, to lodge your complaint.

Contact Information:

City of NapervilleTED Business Group400 S. Eagle StreetNaperville, IL 60540